Current Affairs

March 28, 2011

Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? The answer to that question is frequently debated by politicians, historians, and evangelicals. John Fea visits with us to offer his thoroughly-researched response. His new book, Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? A Historical Introduction, is an even-handed primer that approaches the title's question from a historical perspective. Fea unpacks what has been said over time about America being a Christian nation, helping readers see past the emotional rhetoric of today to the recorded facts of our past.

John Fea is Associate Professor of American History and Chair of the History Department at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. Visit www.philipvickersfithian.com for more information about John Fea and his work.

Ideal for individual, group, or congregational study, the book is accompanied by a free online leader's guide, featuring unique and easily implemented aids for carrying out a seven-week, congregation-wide initiative that will help local churches reach out to their communities.

Martin Thielen is Senior Pastor of Lebanon First United Methodist Church, in Lebanon, Tennessee. He has been a national worship and preaching consultant, seminary professor, and author, and has led more than one hundred church leadership workshops across the country.

October 25, 2010

Who is our neighbor? Presbyterian pastor Ben Daniel joins us to discuss the controversial issues that surround undocumented migration in the United States. In his new book, Neighbor: Christian Encounters with “Illegal” Immigration, Daniel provides a Christian case for embracing undocumented immigrants using a blend of travel narrative, interviews, theological insight, and biblical scholarship.

Ben Daniel is a Presbyterian minister in northern California. He has served on the board of Presbyterian Border Ministries and is a regular contributor to UPI’s online religion and spirituality forum, as well as KQED FM, the largest NPR affiliate in the U.S. He is a graduate of Westmont College and Princeton Theological Seminary.

September 27, 2010

David Beckmann, the 2010 World Food Prize Laureate, is with us today to discuss Exodus from Hunger: We Are Called to Change the Politics of Hunger. In his powerful and hopeful book, Beckmann looks at the causes of hunger, presents case studies of countries that have made great strides against it, and puts a human face on the problem by sharing stories of people who are, quite simply, hungry every day. The problems can seem overwhelming but Beckmann lays out a clear and workable plan for effectively using political channels to make great progress. He not only challenges us to get involved, he shows us how.

David Beckmann is president of Bread for the World, a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s leaders to end hunger in our country and around the world. He is a Lutheran pastor and an economist. The 2010 World Food Prize recognizes his leadership in achieving changes that have helped hundreds of millions of hungry people.

April 26, 2010

Respected author and theologian Walter Brueggemann joins us today for a penetrating look at today’s most pressing issues, including terrorism, health care, and the recent economic collapse. He offers guidance for navigating through these challenging times through neighborliness, covenanting, and reconstruction. His new book, Journey to the Common Good, is now available from Westminster John Knox Press.